I hesitate to post this because I'm nervous. My stomach is churning as I write, but if I don't put myself out there and take chances then I'll never reach my goals. The theme of the show is De Sloot - about Dutch waterways and preserving them. Living and painting on the banks of the IJssel, I couldn't feel more strongly about it. I so fiercely love the unique and sometimes harsh beauty of this little bit of Holland that I find in my backyard.

Above are the three images I submitted for the show. From left to right, High Water Evening Sky, Hattem from the little ferry, Storm Clouds on the River Bank - all painted from my backyard in Oldeneel on the banks of the IJssel River. I just hope that the jurors for the exhibition think I'm as good of a fit for the show as I do!

So I'll try not to think about it until May 18th, when the artists will hear if they've made the cut or not. In the meantime I'll be reminding myself...

"A ship in harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are built for." John A. Shedd